Sampaguita: An icon for hospitality

More than being the Philippines’ national flower, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR), the country’s largest hotel operator, has adopted the Sampaguita as a symbol of its signature brand of service.

With eight brands, 13 hotel properties and more than 8,500 room keys including those in the pipeline, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts seeks to provide memorable service to its guests though a program with a uniquely and proudly Filipino approach. The idea is to make its patrons feel and appreciate the sampaguita service through sight, smell, taste, sound and touch.

“We resonate with the values of the country’s national flower—love, honor, dignity and healing,” says Megaworld Hotel’s and Resort’s managing director Cleofe Albiso.

She adds, “We really desire for our brand to stand out and touch the heart of every Filipino, be the brand that one can be truly proud of. It’s our goal to be the hospitality chain whose story people can reckon with because they have seen the struggles, they have seen the journey, which encompasses what every Filipino undergoes yet comes out stronger from.”

Engaging your senses

“There’s so much more to a guest’s stay than mere bed and breakfast, that is why we aim to enhance every touch within the guest journey,” says Jun Justo, MHR cluster general manager for the Greater National Capital Region (NCR).

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Starting off with what one sees, the hotel group will showcase the flower in their lobbies and feature it in artworks both on ground and online.

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Since July 2023, the teams of MHR have also already started wearing with pride their Sampaguita pins reflective of their associates service values training.

Justo notes that the pin also carries the colors of the Philippine flag. Plus, the tip of the five petals points toward the heart, reminding the wearer to always be proud of his or her heritage.

Entering the lobby, guests can already get a whiff of the signature cool sampaguita scent, a special concoction that combines the scent of fresh herbs, eucalyptus and peppermint and invigorates and relaxes anyone in need of a quick pick-me-up.

During downtime or while waiting for service at the lobby and other public areas of the hotels, guests will hear original Filipino music to entertain them. Soothing instrumental music can be heard playing in the morning during breakfast and at end of the day while guests are enjoying their dinner.

Enriching experience

As a way of healing, a soothing massage will always be a welcome luxury for anyone.  MHR guests now have the option to use their signature sampaguita massage oils to help them relax after a long day. They may also opt to end their session with a cup of SaMaRra, a combination of sampaguita, mango, and tarragon tea that promises healing from the inside.

Adding to an enriching experience, chefs of MHR through the Food and Beverage Council led by cluster general manager Socrates “Sonny” Alvaro have started serving dishes infused with the essence of the national flower, from salads, soups and mains to desserts.

After months of serving sampaguita inspired dishes, Alvaro shares, “It’s a different experience for each guest.”

Talking about their culinary vision, he adds that the group provides guests an opportunity to try out new dishes infused with the essence of the delicate sampaguita. Magic happens when just the right amount of the essence is added to complement the dish.

With the guests he himself have attended to, he shares “you’d be surprised that a lot of our guests are intrigued and find nostalgia in every bite plus the opportunity to add new memories [based on] how we look at Sampaguita.”

The Sampaguita brand of service can be felt across the group that includes Belmont Hotel Manila or Savoy Hotel Manila within Newport City in Pasay across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3; Kingsford Hotel Manila located in the Entertainment City of Parañaque, Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel in Quezon City and Richmonde Hotel Ortigas in Pasig.

Outside Metro Manila, the MHR network includes Twin Lakes Hotel near Tagaytay, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Iloilo Business Park of Iloilo City, Belmont Hotel Boracay or Savoy Hotel Boracay located at the Newcoast Boracay or even in Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown in Cebu or in the newly opened Belmont Hotel Mactan Newtown.

Envisioning the revival of Sampaguita

Seeing how the Sampaguita has helped make Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ service stand out, the group has extended its relationship with the national flower to include touching the lives of people who rely on the flower.

Albiso says the project that ties into the group’s focus on sustainability has led to enthusiastic discussions on how to increase the popularity and use of the Sampaguita.

“This project is [now] a movement,” she adds.

MHR has, for instance, partnered with the local government of San Pedro, Laguna, the Sampaguita capital of the Philippines. During a recent immersion program, Mayor Art Mercado and King Layola from the City Agriculture Office highlighted the impact of MHR’s efforts on the industry.

Due to the project’s aim to diversify the use of Sampaguita, opportunities have opened up for farmers to plant more so that they can meet the need for its essence for soaps, scents and food grade additives.

Beyond the premises of MHRs own properties, Megaworld, through its MEGreen Sustainability program, has also committed to set aside areas within its townships for the planting of Sampaguita.

Sharlene Zabala-Batin, tourism regional director of NCR, said this was a “genius” move as it is an “embodiment of Philippine culture and heritage” and celebrates Sampaguita as an essential ingredient in MHR’s service.

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